Died from Mesothelioma
A widow who saw her husband die painfully from the asbestos cancer, mesothelioma, has received compensation from his former employers.
Her 62-year-old husband from Leeds was diagnosed with the devastating disease in December 2009 and died just a month later. He was employed as a bus driver for Arriva at the time of his death.
Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos. There is no cure for the disease.
The granddad of 13 was exposed to asbestos whilst working for two companies in the 1970s.
Thompsons are asbestos claim experts
He began suffering from symptoms of mesothelioma in July 2009 but it took several more months until he was officially diagnosed.
His wife, who he met in 2000 and then married in 2004, said they had never heard of the disease before and he had never thought that his job in the 70s would affect his health in later years.
He was advised to claim compensation against his former employers and he instructed asbestos claims experts Thompsons Solicitors.
Sadly he died only weeks later.
Help raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos
Before his death he said: “I was shocked when I was diagnosed and I can’t believe my deterioration during the last six months. My wife and I led a full and active life but now I get very breathless, even talking tires me out. My main concern now is to see my wife is properly provided for as I know my time is now limited.”
His wife said: “We had never heard of mesothelioma before and found it difficult to come to terms with the fact he was gravely ill from something he had been exposed to in the 1970s. We had a happy life together and only married in 2004. It was awful when he was taken from us so quickly and by such an aggressive disease.”
Marion Voss from Thompsons Solicitors said: “Compensation can never make up for the loss of a life but it will provide important financial security for his wife. He literally gave his life for his job and I hope that by highlighting this case it can help raise awareness about the dangers of asbestos.”
Asbestos disease diagnosis? Talk to us for advice and support on how to secure compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can support you with advice on how to make a claim.
The process will be explained in plain English and with no obligation – our priority is to provide you with the best, expert advice on whether you have a valid case for compensation, and to signpost you to further sources of support.
There are strict time limits applied to making a claim – usually three years from the date of diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if the exposure to asbestos took place – as it often does – decades ago, the three year time limit applies to the date of knowledge of diagnosis or date of death.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.